Herne Hill 2, London

Location
Herne Hill, London

Materials
Formica on birch ply

What did I make?
Secure platform for the island
End panels as required
Under panel incorporating led lighting
Formica doors and drawer fronts with integral handles

What would I charge for a similar project?
£7200.00

What the client said

Duncan was fantastically helpful from start to finish, helping me navigate the mysteries of Ikea kitchen design, pointing out ways to improve our design and working really well with our builder.

The Story

This couple had a kitchen design from their architect from which Ikea produced a plan based on their units. This was tweaked in conversation between me and the client and I accompanied her on her last visit to Ikea to ensure that the correct units and fittings were purchased.

The tall units on the left contain various cupboards and a full height freezer. It was logical to use vertical handles on these. The position and length of these handles was determined by the respective heights of the couple – she uses the bottom part of the handle, he uses the upper part!

The right hand tall blue unit contains a full height fridge. The same handle as on the freezer door would have looked out of place here. Because I made new unit sides in the same material as the doors, I was able to put a recess in the side, behind the door. This allows fingers to go behind the edge of the door to pull it open. This recess matches the vertical handles in length and height.

The floor was in a dark oak, so I used a smoked oak veneer for the handle inserts to match. The Island units sit on a ply base secured to the floor. End panels on the island show the plywood edge which is repeated either end of the tall grey units.